The TCS NQT: A National Arena

TCS conducts a national-level test every year, the National Qualifier Test (NQT), attracting thousands of students aspiring to kickstart their careers with them. The company offers three main roles for freshers: Ninja, with the lowest salary package; Digital; and Prime, which boasts the highest. The NQT itself consists of both aptitude and coding questions. Your performance in this test plays a significant role in determining your tentative role. These tests are held at TCS iON centers on multiple dates, making it a widespread and competitive event.

Tackling the NQT

My NQT exam experience was, overall, quite positive. I had put in some preparation for the aptitude section, which I knew could be tricky. As for the coding round, my daily LeetCode practice paid off immensely, meaning I didn't need extensive last-minute cramming. The coding round presented two questions, and I'm happy to say I was able to solve both of them successfully. There's a certain thrill in seeing your code pass all test cases under exam conditions!

The Interview Call and Preparation

A couple of weeks after the NQT, the much-awaited email arrived: my profile had been selected for the Prime role, and an interview was scheduled! It was an exciting moment, and a few of my friends also received their interview calls for the same day. My interview was set for June 14th, 2024. The day before, I made sure to create a new resume, meticulously updating it with my latest skill set and the projects I had developed during college. With resume in hand, I headed for the interview the next day.

Interview Day: Hopes and Hurdles

The interview venue was bustling with candidates from all over the city, vying for various roles. There was a palpable mix of nervousness and anticipation in the air. I had to wait for some time before my turn came. The interview itself started off well. The interviewers focused mainly on what I had written in my resume – my skills, and particularly the projects I’d developed in college. I felt confident discussing these, as they were areas I was passionate and knowledgeable about.

However, as the interview progressed, it took a bit of a downward turn. I found myself struggling with some fundamental questions related to my own projects. It was a tough moment, realizing I couldn't articulate certain core concepts as clearly as I should have. I did feel a little sad and disappointed with myself afterward, replaying those moments in my head.

The Offer and the Wait

Despite the hiccup in the interview, I tried to remain optimistic. After what felt like an eternity, but was actually about a month, I received my offer letter on July 13th, 2024! I was selected for the Digital role. While it wasn't the Prime role I had initially hoped for after the NQT, landing the Digital role was still a significant achievement, and definitely 'something better than nothing.' I gladly accepted the offer.

Little did I know that another period of waiting was in store. TCS, like many large organizations, has its own pace for onboarding candidates. Even with an accepted offer, it took a few more months before I received confirmation of my joining date. Finally, after about 3-4 months of patience, the email arrived: my joining was scheduled for November 14th, 2024. And so, I finally joined TCS as a Systems Engineer, ready to embark on a new chapter of my professional journey.